Syracuse, N.Y. — It is still too soon to know how the offensive line will sort out before the season opener in three weeks, but a key piece has returned to practice this summer that will add to the competition.

Nick Robinson, a C.W. Baker grad, was held out of spring practice because of a foot injury sustained during winter conditioning. The injury did not require surgery, but it limited his physical activity.

Being held out of practice allowed him to spend more time in the film room and study the playbook while increasing his upper body strength, areas that he feels will benefit him as he tries to lock down a starting guard position.

Robinson and Rob Trudo are returning starters from last year's 7-6 team. But redshirt sophomore Omari Palmer has emerged since the end of the last season to challenge for a starting position.

"All of us can play, which is good," Robinson said. "That's not a bad thing. Competition is only going to help all of us. We don't know who the starting lineup is right now."

Robinson was pleased with his work in the running game last season and said "there's no way you can't get stronger with this weight program here." His progress in pass protection will be seen moving forward as the team gets into more scrimmage-like periods.

"I think I could've used an improvement in the pass game," he said, "but I think my work this summer really helped me."